Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

[Redfokker]

thanks! I should just post the guy's pics. Seller is venomindenim.
A beautiful 1940's unworn straw.

Sea Spray--Does anyone have some information on this maker? I remember seeing a 1940s Panama in this style from Sea Spray sell for a pretty penny.


Bah! That's ridiculous. I've actually had a timothiescloset listing in my Watched for some time-- a 1940's homburg with its box for $212 (with a best offer option), which is chump change compared to some of his other listings. I always thought, "wouldn't it be funny if I ended up actually buying from this guy?".

There is another Sea Spray hat on the Bay right now. Not nearly as nice of a weave as this one though. Not the same seller.

 

[nvilletele]

Very nice indeed. I've found Biltmore to be generous on size. How did the stretching work out?

I have found Biltmore to usually reasonably consistent on sizes, not particularly generous or stingy, at least for my 7 3/8 hat size. But that said, my “Montreal” Panama is a 7 1/4 and never stretched and fits well, if a tiny bit snugly. And two of my Biltmore Handmade for Belfry straw hats “large” size was quite generous, needing inserts.

So maybe you have a point there . . .

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Very nice indeed. I've found Biltmore to be generous on size. How did the stretching work out?

The hat was true to my past experiences and not a generous 7 1/2. Before I got too far into the stretching I decided that while I loved the color, the proportions were too small for my tastes. I’ve already found it a new home with another Lounge member.

I also bought a vintage Stetson St. Regis in chocolate brown that will arrive tomorrow! Those proportions are more my style. I’ll keep looking for the “right for me” dove gray homburg.


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[MondoFW]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/50s-Panama...996688?hash=item41af2f7310:g:ok8AAOSwAuNW7sw~

Get a load of this-- a previous owner crudely attempted to perforate the sweatband, and failed horribly. Now there's just a piece of tape on the band! And it can be yours now for $200!

 

[Bill Hughes]

I've seen that before. Either the owner's name or the store name is completely cut out of the sweatband. But considering it's timothiescloset the price would be at least double if the sweatband was whole. Probably more than double.

 

[RJR]

I've seen that before. Either the owner's name or the store name is completely cut out of the sweatband. But considering it's timothiescloset the price would be at least double if the sweatband was whole. Probably more than double.

 

[alanfgag]

thanks! I should just post the guy's pics. Seller is venomindenim.
A beautiful 1940's unworn straw.

Sea Spray--Does anyone have some information on this maker? I remember seeing a 1940s Panama in this style from Sea Spray sell for a pretty penny.

Cool find. That is a machine woven hat - perhaps paper - over-coated to be water resistant. You can see a similar, somewhat older example here. (Be sure to scroll down that page to see photos of a hat weaving machine posted by Carouselvic). Would be nice to have yours added to the Panama Hat thread too. I can't read the price on the Neisner's label but I am guessing it is very inexpensive. Neisner's was a five and dime chain store. This hat is likely 1950s.

 

[MondoFW]

Cool find. That is a machine woven hat - perhaps paper - over-coated to be water resistant. You can see a similar, somewhat older example here. (Be sure to scroll down that page to see photos of a hat weaving machine posted by Carouselvic). Would be nice to have yours added to the Panama Hat thread too. I can't read the price on the Neisner's label but I am guessing it is very inexpensive. Neisner's was a five and dime chain store. This hat is likely 1950s.

Both hats' surfaces do look very similar. Were you pleased with your Optimo? Is the quality noticeably different from hand-woven? I'm assuming this Sea Spray is on the lesser quality spectrum of Panamas?

 

[alanfgag]

Both hats' surfaces do look very similar. Were you pleased with your Optimo? Is the quality noticeably different from hand-woven? I'm assuming this Sea Spray is on the lesser quality spectrum of Panamas?

I like it and love the 1937 railway ticket I found behind the sweatband. It is very different than a hand woven toquilla straw hat - a panama in style only, but certainly an interesting piece in the history of bygone summer wear. Look forward to seeing pictures of yours. If you wear a 6 7/8, the world of eBay is your oyster.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Here are two straws I snagged. The pictures leave a lot to the imagination. Once I get them I will post good pictures in the Panama hat thread. I have no idea about age on either.

The first is a Pilgrim.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-ge...BFsJJbj8LIqJdIxU9syxc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I have no idea about the maker for the second. Hopefully there will be some clue behind the sweatband.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-pa...BFsJJbj8LIqJdIxU9syxc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

[MondoFW]

I love that these beautiful Panamas are coming out to play, now that they're coming of season. I really have to invest in a quality Panama, but now my placeholder is some middle-of-the-road (if that) machine-woven lid. I've learned what to look for in a proper straw. Bill, yours is a prime example. Wonderful find!

Here are two straws I snagged. The pictures leave a lot to the imagination. Once I get them I will post good pictures in the Panama hat thread. I have no idea about age on either.

The first is a Pilgrim.

View attachment 123028 View attachment 123023 View attachment 123024



I have no idea about the maker for the second. Hopefully there will be some clue behind the sweatband.

View attachment 123025 View attachment 123026 View attachment 123027

 

[Bill Hughes]

I love that these beautiful Panamas are coming out to play, now that they're coming of season. I really have to invest in a quality Panama, but now my placeholder is some middle-of-the-road (if that) machine-woven lid. I've learned what to look for in a proper straw. Bill, yours is a prime example. Wonderful find!

I just realized I forgot to add the links for the auctions. I have added them to the original post.

 

[steur]

Here are two straws I snagged. The pictures leave a lot to the imagination. Once I get them I will post good pictures in the Panama hat thread. I have no idea about age on either.

The first is a Pilgrim.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-geniune-panama-pilgrim-hat-sz-7-1-8-/183263959450?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&nma=true&si=F2YF9u%2BFsJJbj8LIqJdIxU9syxc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

View attachment 123028 View attachment 123023 View attachment 123024



I have no idea about the maker for the second. Hopefully there will be some clue behind the sweatband.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-panama-hat-sz-7-1-8-/183263953201?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&nma=true&si=F2YF9u%2BFsJJbj8LIqJdIxU9syxc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

View attachment 123025 View attachment 123026 View attachment 123027

These look great, Bill. Well spotted and good catch.

 

[BobHufford]

Here are two straws I snagged.

Great buys Bill!

 

[jonesy86]

I suppose someone could just write any date into the lining of a hat. Any comments on this one? Quality, Age, Value?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stetson-Op...estern-Fedora-Hat-7-1-2/263741346214?var=null

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I suppose someone could just write any date into the lining of a hat. Any comments on this one? Quality, Age, Value?
View attachment 123110
View attachment 123111

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stetson-Op...estern-Fedora-Hat-7-1-2/263741346214?var=null

Check out the threads on dating Stetsons by the liners and their size tags. The absence of metric sizing on the hat means it’s not really new, but Stetson didn’t start using that squared off size tag until well after the decline in their quality.


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[jonesy86]

dating Stetsons by the liners and their size tags

Thanks for the tip. I'm doing more homework.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I watched this hat a couple of cycles on eBay and came close but was undecided. I’ve been looking at the Akubra Kentucky Rancher for a long time but it doesn’t come in 62 (my Akubra size).

This Montecristi Custom Hat Works kept calling my name. So I’ve scratched my Kentucky Rancher itch with something I hope will be even better.

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[BobHufford]

This Montecristi Custom Hat Works kept calling my name. So I’ve scratched my Kentucky Rancher itch with something I hope will be even better.

I've been in their store in Santa Fe ... this hat is much better than the Akubra. Congrats on a beauty of a hat!

 

[Desert dog]

What a nice one! I like everything about it!

I watched this hat a couple of cycles on eBay and came close but was undecided. I’ve been looking at the Akubra Kentucky Rancher for a long time but it doesn’t come in 62 (my Akubra size).

This Montecristi Custom Hat Works kept calling my name. So I’ve scratched my Kentucky Rancher itch with something I hope will be even better.

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